A team approach to fighting tongue cancer

Tongue cancer is one of the many head and neck cancers we treat at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. The most common type of tongue cancer is oral cavity cancer, which affects the front two-thirds of the tongue. Tongue cancer that’s located in the inner third of the tongue is known as throat cancer.

As northern Indiana’s first comprehensive cancer center, we treat tongue cancer in Goshen, IN, like no other facility in the region. Our multidisciplinary team uniquely approaches each case, combining different areas of expertise to heal all of you, not just your cancer. Whether you’re looking for a second opinion or a supportive treatment team, we’re here to help. Call our oncology information specialists at (888) 492-4673 (HOPE) .

Tongue cancer symptoms

In the early stages, symptoms may not be present for tongue cancer that’s in the back of the tongue. Cancer on the front of the tongue is often visible, but doesn’t cause other noticeable symptoms.

For both areas of the tongue, the following symptoms may appear as the disease advances:

A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal

Feeling like you have a persistent cold

Feeling like there is a lump or something stuck in your throat

Chronic bad breath

Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue

Ear pain

Lump that bleeds easily

Numbness in the mouth or tongue

Tongue, jaw or throat pain

Voice changes

White or red patches

Some noncancerous conditions can cause these symptoms, so have your primary care provider asses them for a timely diagnosis.

Causes and prevention

Tobacco – including snuff, chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars – is a main cause of head and neck cancer, including tongue cancer.

In addition to tobacco use, other known risk factors are:

Male gender

African-American race

Age 40 or older

HPV infection

Alcohol use

You can lower your risk for tongue cancer by not using tobacco. Goshen Health offers smoking cessation programs to help you leave tobacco for good.

Treatment of tongue cancer at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Tongue cancer treatment begins with knowing the cancer’s stage.

Understanding the cancer’s characteristics help the treatment take make effective, personalized treatment plans that may include:

Discrimination is against the law. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against, exclude or treat people differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

Discrimination is against the law. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against, exclude or treat people differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.